Spherical water craft



June 10, 195 8 w. E. WILSON SPHERICAL WATER CRAFT 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledMarch 30. 1956 FIG. 'L

INVENTOR. WA V/VE E. W/LSO/V,

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June 10, 1958 w. E. WILSON SPHERICAL WATER CRAFT 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledMarch 30, 1956 INVENTOR. WA Y/VE E. WILSON,

. ATTORNEYS.

June 10, 1958 w. E. WILSON 2,833,022

' SPHERICAL WATER CRAFT Filed March 30, 1956 i 4 Sheets-Sheet 3INVENTOR. 44 nm YA/E 5'. WILSON June 10, 1958 w. E. wlLsoN SPHERICALWATER CRAFT 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 50, 1956 INVENTOR. m4 VNE E.W/LSOM I BY United States Patent 0 SPHERICAL WATER CRAFT Wayne E.Wilson, York, Pa. Application March 30, 1956, Serial N 0. 575,223 7Claims. (Cl. 115-20) This invention relates to water craft, and moreparticularly has reference to a hollow sphere or other symmetricalstructure buoyantly supported upon the surface of the water, and sodesigned that a person within the sphere can, by a walking motion, causethe sphere to move forwardly or rearwardly, as desired, while at thesame time maintaining the sphere under control such as to permit thecraft to turn left or right in a selected direction.

Summarized briefly, the invention comprises a spherical hull, havingdiametrically opposed hatches or entranceways aligned coaxially with oneanother in a line extending diametrically of the sphere, said hatchesbeing formed as tubular members extending inwardly of the hull.Slid-ably mounted within the hull for movement into open and closedpositions across the tubular members are closure plates having handles,so that a user, standing within the hull between the closure plates, cangrasp the handles and, by a natural Walking motion, eifect rotationalmovement of the sphere. On the exterior of the hull there is provided anannular series of paddles, rigid with the hull, adapted to effectforward or backward motion, as the case may be, of the hull responsiveto said walking motion of the user within the hull.

One important object is to provide a device of the nature referred towhich will, in effect, permit one to J walk on water, so to speak, thatis, the person standing within the hull is supported for the greatestpart of 'his height above the water level, and by a walking motion cancause the hull to move forwardly upon the water in a selected direction.

Another object is to so design the device as to permit a person to use,the same for observing marine life, due to the fact that a transparentportion of the hull which is in contact with the water provides a windowpermitting observation of submarine life and landscape without the.usual surface reflection and refraction which ordinarily interfereswith such observation.

Another object is to provide a device of the nature re ferred to whichcan belused for fishing, with the hatchways providing openings through.which one may fish, under circumstances that will increase theenjoyment of the fishing due to theabove mentionedcharacteristicpermitting full observation of marine life.

Still another object is to form a spherical water vehicle that isparticularly adapted toafford the useramusement as well as exercise,through a design such as to render the device adaptable for foot racingand walking on water, as Wellas for surf riding.

Yet "another object is to form a spherical .vessel which will beparticularly designed to be safe in use, thus to be attractive topersons otherwise having a fear of aquatic sports andexercises.

Still another object is vto provide alspherical vessel of the naturedescribed which will include an unobstructed area above the water level,thus to permit the user to observe the orientation of the sphere withrespect to the shore and other surface objects, thus providing a readybasis for judging the desirability of a change in location.

Yet another object is to provide a spherical vessel of the type referredto, the forward motion of which can be caused by an expenditure ofeffort no greater than that required for ordinary walking.

Other objects will appear from the following description, the claimsappended thereto, and from the annexed drawing, in which like referencecharacters designate like parts throughout the several views, andwherein:

Figure is an elevational view of a spherical vessel formed according tothe present invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional viewin a plane lying diametrally of the vesselon line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view through one of the hatchways with itsassociated closure plate in closed position, taken on line 33 of Figure2;

Figure 4 is a sectional view on the same cutting plane as Figure 3, withthe closure plate in open position;

Figure 5 is a sectional view through the closure plate on an enlargedscale, taken on line 5-5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a detail sectional View, the scale being enlarged stillfurther, taken on line 6-6 of Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a reduced elevational view of the sphere in use, withtheuser entering the sphere;

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 in which the user has entered thesphere but has not yet assumed the position required for effectingforward or rearward motion of the sphere;

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 7 in which the user is effectingforward motion of the sphere by a wal ing action; and

Figure 10 is a view of the sphere during the forward motion thereof, asseen from the left of Figure 9.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the reference numeral 10 designatesa spherical hull, which is formed of a transparent material.

Secured to and extending continuously about the hull exteriorly thereof,are identical, parallel rings 12, 12 between which are connectedfins orblades 14 projecting radially of the sphere as shown in Figure 2. Therings lie in planes paralleling and equidistantly spaced from a planethat lies diametrically of the hull on the section line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Since the sphere is substantially hollow, it will be buoyantly supportedupon the water in the manner shown in Figures 7-10, and when positionedas in Figures 9 and 10, will be disposed in positions such that the finsor blades 14 will cause motion of the sphere in a selected direction,responsive to rotation of the sphere.

At diametrically opposite locations, the hull is formed with openings,and extending inwardly of the hull from the edges of the-openings aretubular members providing hatchways 18, extending inwardly far enough tobring their inner openings above the free water line when the vessel (orhull) is loaded to capacity, regardless of the orientation of saidvessel. With suitable materials and proportions thereof, enough spaceremains for the user to stand upright within the hull between thehatchways as shown in Figure 10.

The hatchways are coaxially aligned, on a major diameter A-A (seeFigure 1) extending normally to a plane paralleling the blade supportrings 12 and intersecting the blades medially between opposite endsthereof, that is, the cutting plane defined by the section line 2.-2 inFigure 1. The hatchways are of a diameter sufficient to permit a personusing the device to crawl therethrough in the mannershown in Figures 1and 2;

Coaxially aligned with one another (see Figure 2) on a line extendingtangentially of the hatchways at the inner ends ofthe hatchways, arebrace bars 20, 20 connected fixedly to track bars 22, 24 that areextended in perpendicular relation to the brace bars. Fixedly connectedbe- I direction.

tween the track bars 22, 24 is an intermediate brace bar 25, coaxialwith the brace bar 20. It will be understood, in this connection, thatthe construction now described, having'reference to the brace and trackbars, is identical but opposite at the inner end of each hatchway, sothe description of the structure of one hatchway and of the track andclosure plate means associated therewith will be considered assuflicient for the other hatchway.

At their opposite ends, the track bars 22, 24 are formed with relativelyshort extensions that are flattened and are extended obliquely to thelength of the associated track bars. As shown in Figure 6, the flattenedextensions, designated at 26, are formed with slots 28. Each flattenedextension is disposed in contact with a triangular support 36 and heldin fixed relationship thereto by means of a through bolt 36. Eachsupport 30 has a circular base flange 31 apertured for cap screws 32which engage threaded holes in pad 34 which, in turn, is fastened to theinner surface of the sphere (or hull) by cement 38.

Referring now to Figure 2, extending in parallel relation to andcoextensive in length with the intermediate brace bar 25 is a brace bar40, also connected fixedly between the track bars 22, 24 respectivelyand disposed diametrically opposite the brace bar 25 at the inner end ofthe associated, tubular hatch 18.

Adpted to close the inner end of each hatch is a flat, generallyrectangular closure plate 42 integrally formed at opposite sides thereofwith side flanges 44, 44 on which are rotatably mounted peripherallygrooved rollers 46, 4%. A single roller 48 may be provided upon eachflange 44, rolling upon the associated track bar, while a pair ofrollers 46 may be provided upon each flange, with the roller 48 disposedbetween the rollers 46 as shown in Figure 4, and with the rollers 46rolling upon the opposite side of the associated track bar.

Centrally secured to each closure plate 42 is a handle 59, which ispreferably rotatable upon its associated plate, so that the handle neednot turn when the hull is being rotated during use. The handles 50 ofthe respective closure plates, when said plates are in theirhatchclosing positions, are aligned with one another coaxially, alongthe line AA of Figure 1.

Projecting outwardly from the respective closure plates, in alignmentwith the handles, are support blocks 52 for the spindles of the handles.

The closure plates, due to the rollable supporting thereof upon therespective track bars, are mounted for movement between hatch-openingand hatch-closing positions shown in Figures 4 and 3 respectively. Thismovement of the closure plates between their opposite extreme positionsis limited by end flanges 54, 56 projecting out of the planes of thebodies of the closure plates toward the outer ends of the hatches 18.The flange 54 is adapted to limit movement of each closure plate beyonda hatchclosing position, while flange 56 is adapted to cooperate withflange 54 when the closure plates are moved in this in other words, whenthe closure plate is moved to a hatch-closing position as in Figure 3,flange 54 will engage against the wall of the associated hatch 18, whileflange 56 will engage against the brace bar 40.

The flange 54 also serves as a stop limiting'the move ment of theclosure plate beyond its full open position shown in Figure 4, theflange 54 now engaging the side wall of the associated hatch 18 at alocation diametrically opposite that at which flange 54 engages saidside wall when the closure plate is moved to its hatch-closing position.

The flange 56 of the closure plate is formed with an opening, andextending through said opening is a latch bar 58 pivoted at 69 upon earsprojecting from the flange S6. The latch bar 58, at a location betweenthe flanges 54, 56 has a pointed extension 62, and adjacent saidextension 62 there is provided a laterally projecting, triangular nose64 adapted to seat in a latching recess 66 of the cross bar 40.

As will be noted from Figure l, the latches 58 of the respective hatchesare oppositely arranged, that is, while they are in a common planeincluding the line AA of Figure 1, they are at opposite sides of saidline.

Each latch bar is provided with a spring 67, normally biasing the bar toa latching position.

It will be observed that the nose 64, being of triangular formation.includes a cam surface so that if the closure late is shift-ed from itsopen, Figure 4 position to its closed, Figure 3 position, as itapproaches its Figure 3 position the sloped surface of the nose 64 ofthe latch bar will be engaged by the cross bar 40, causing the latch barto be pivoted in a clockwise direction in Figure 4 to pass the cross bar40, against the restraint of the spring 67. As soon as the nose of thelatch bar moves past the cross bar 40, the spring 67, expanding, willcause the nose to engage over the cross bar, within the latching recess66, thus holding the closure plate in its hatchclosing position.

It will further be noted that the opposite end portions of the latchbar, when the closure plate is in its closed position, are accessiblefrom both within and without the sphere. In other words, the pointedextension 62 constitutes a handle at one end of the latch bar, which canbe pushed by a hand or a stick through the hatch 18, from a locationexteriorly of the sphere, thus to manually rock the latch bar clockwisein Figure 3 out of engagement with cross bar 40. At the same time, onewithin the hull can unlatch the closure plate by grasping the other endof the latch bar, which also constitutes a handle, and again rocking thelatch bar in a clockwise direction.

It is important to note that all the components of the structure aredisposed in symmetrical relation, so that the center of gravity fallssubstantially upon the geometric center of the hull except when one ofthe entrance tubes or hatches is uncovered as when one is entering thedevice. This will be noted to particular advantage from Figure 1, inwhich it will be seen that at opposite sides of the plane 2-2, allcomponents are identical but opposite to one another within thestructure, this applying as well to the externally located components12, 14.

Still further, it will be observed that the annular rings 12 not onlyserve to brace the connection of the fins or blades 14 to the hull, butalso provide a rolling support for the hull when it is out of water, sothat the hull can be rolled upon the land toward or away from the waterwithout damage to the hull surface, since the ground will be contactedby the outer-peripheries of the rings 12.

In use of the vessel, it is preferably first placed in the water, whereis can be positioned easily for the purpose of being entered (see Figure7). To enter the hull, one preferably stands upon the bottom, and fromthis position lifts himself into a position such as illustrated inFigure 8. As previously noted, the entrance tube or hatch extendsinwardly far enough to locate its inner opening above the free waterline with the vessel loaded to capacity, regardless of the orientationof the vessel.

After entering the hull, one places both feet on the inside surface ofthe hull and shifts position until the hull is floating in the mannershown in Figure 9, that is, is in a position in which the major diameterAA extends horizontally, transversely of the path in which the device isto be moved when being propelled forwardly or rearwardly. The diameterAA constitutes the axis about which the device will turn, and thepaddles or blades 14 extend into the water under these circumstances,due to the location of the rings 12 in planes normal to the axis AA. Inother Words, the paddle wheel defined by the rings 12 and blades 14 maybe considered as being disposed generally in a vertical plane during theforward or rearward propulsion of the vessel.

The user now returns'the closure plate 42 of thehatch through whichheentered to a closed position, and grasps the respective handles 50.The handles 50 provide a means for controlling the relationship betweenthe center of buoyancy of the sphere and the center of gravity of therider. Thus, by a forward walking motion (see Figure 9) I an actionwhich involves the exertionof a backard force of the .fins -14, whichengage the water and push the sphere in'the direction of the reactiveforce so generated.

The grasping of the handles also permits the rider to tilt the'spherelaterally toward one or the other side of the rider, that is, the ridercan tilt the axis or major diameter A-A out of thehorizontal while thewalking motion'is occurring. Under these-circumstances, instead of lyingin a generally vertical plane as in Figure 10, the

t paddle wheel will be tilted into a plane slightly inclined from thevertical; This action translates rotatable move- {4 ment of the sphereinto a curvilinear rather than a rectilinear motion, thus permitting thewalker to direct the sphere and control its progress at will, turning toleft or right whichever is desired.

A reverse of-the above described actions will permit backwardpropulsion, that is, walking backward according to the desires of theuser, either along a straight or curved .path.

The unobstructed area of the transparent hull above the waters surfacepermits the walker to observe the orientation of the sphere with respectto the shore and other visible objects, thus providing a basis forjudging the desirability of a change in direction. 1

It will be noted, further, that the unobstructed area ofthe hull that isbelow the water surface constitutes a mobile window for observation ofmarine life, because it eliminates surface reflection and refractionwhich ordinarily interfere withobservations of this type. Thus, thedevice is adapted-for observing life and landscapes below the surfacewithout additional-equipment and without the danger or hazards usuallyassociated with the observation of submarine life. No more energy isrequired than that required for walking leisurely, and a considerablearea of the bottom can be observed during the forward motion of thevessel.

" One can, further, use the vessel for fishing. Under thesecircumstances, it would be rotated to a position as in Figure 8, andwith a closure plate open, one may seat himself upon the plate and fishthrough the hatch 18. The enjoyment of the fishing is enhanced due tothe fact that the quarry is fully observed through the area of the hullthat is disposed below the surface of the water.

It will be understood that various compartments may be incorporated inthe structure for the purpose of carrying towels, fishing gear,refreshments, etc. These would be fastened to the track bars and otherstructural me bers, and again, would be disposed symmetrically withrespect to the plane denoted by the section line 2-2.

It is believed apparent that the invention is not necessarily confinedto the specific use or uses thereof described above, since it may beutilized for any purpose to which it may be suited. Nor is the inventionto be necessarily limited to the specific construction illustrated anddescribed, since such construction is only intended to be illustrativeof the principles of operation and the means presently devised to carryout said principles, it being considered that the invention comprehendsany minor change in construction that may be permitted within the scopeof the appended claims.

assaoss What is claimed is:

1. A water craft comprising a spherical, hollow hull; diametricallyopposed tubes extending radially of the hull and aligned coaxially, onan axis extending diametrically of the hull, said tubes providingentrance passages for a user; and a-paddle wheel girdling the hull forpropelling the same in a selected direction, said axis being normal to aplane bisecting the paddle wheel and paralleling the opposite sides ofthe paddle wheel, thus to elfect rotation of the hull about said axis bywalking of :the user upon the inner surface thereof.

2. A water craft comprising a sphericah'hollow hull; diametricallyopposed tubes extending radially inwardly.of the hull andalignedcoaxially, on an axis extending diametrically of the hull, saidtubes providing entrance hatches for a user; and a paddle wheelcomprising a pair of rings rigid with and extending circumferentially ofthe hull exteriorly thereof,.said wheel including blades connectedbetween the :rings and extending outwardly from the hull, said axisbeing normal to a plane lying medially between and paralleling therespective rings, thus to propel thehull in .a selected directionresponsive to rotation of the same about said axis effected by walkingof the user upon the inner surface thereof.

3. A water craft comprising a spherical, hollow hull; diametricallyopposed tubes extending radially inwardly of the hull and alignedcoaxially, on anaxis extending diametrically of the hull, said tubesproviding entrance hatches for a user; a padle wheel comprising a pairof rings rigid with and extending circumferentially of the hullexteriorly thereof, said wheel including blades connected between therings and extending outwardly from the hull, said axis being normal toazplane lying medially between and paralleling the respective rings,thus to propel the hull in a selecteddirection responsive to rotation ofthe same about said axis effected by walking of the user upon the innersurface thereof; and closure means mounted within the hull at the innerends of the tubes for movement between positions closing and opening thetubes respectively. r

.4. A water craft comprising a spherical, hollow hull;diametrically-opposed tubes extending radially inwardly of the hull andaligned coaxially, on an axis extending diametrically of the hull, saidtubes providing entrance hatches for a user; a paddle wheel comprising apair of rings rigid with and extending circumferentially of the hullexteriorly thereof, said wheel including blades connected between therings and extending outwardly from the hull, said axis being normal to aplane lying medially between and paralleling the respective rings, thusto propel the hull in a selected direction responsive to rotation of thesame about said axis eflfected by walking of the user upon the innersurface thereof; track bars secured to the hull within the same andextending normally to said axis; and closure plates riding on said trackbars between opposite extreme positions in one of which said platesclose the respective tubes at their inner ends and in the other of whichthe plates are shifted substantially clear of the inner ends of thetubes to open the same.

5. A water craft comprising a spherical, hollow hull; diametricallyopposed tubes extending radially inwardly of the hull and alignedcoaxially, on an axis extending diametrically of the hull, said tubesproviding entrance hatches for a user; a paddle wheel comprising a pairof rings rigid with and extending circumferentially of the hullexteriorly thereof, said wheel including blades connected between therings and extending outwardly from the hull, sid axis being normal to aplane lying medially between and paralleling the respective rings, thusto propel the hull in a selected direction responsive to rotation of thesame about said axis effected by walking of the user upon the innersurface thereof; track bars secured to the hull within the same andextending normally to said axis; closure plates riding on said trackbars between opposite extreme positions in one of which said platesclose the respective tubes at their inner ends and in the other of whichthe plates are shifted substantially clear of the inner ends of thetubes to open the same; and handles secured to the respective closureplates and extending toward one another from the closure plates, so asto be grasped by a user standing upright within the hull between theclosure plates during the propulsion of the hull, said handles in thetube-closing positions of the closure plates being aligned coaxially, onsaid axis.

6. A water craft comprising a spherical, hollow hull; diametricallyopposed tubes extending radially inwardly of the hull and alignedcoaxially, on an axis extending diametrically of the hull, said tubesproviding entrance hatches for a user; a paddle wheel comprising a pairof rings rigid with and extending circumferentially of the hullexteriorly thereof, said wheel including blades connected between theringsand extending outwardly from the hull, said axis being normal to aplane lying medially between and paralleling the respective rings, thusto propel the hull in a selected direction responsive to rotation of thesame about said axis effected by walking of the user upon the innersurface thereof; track bars secured to the hull within the 'same andextending normally to said axis; closure plates riding on said trackbars between opposite extreme positions in one of which said platesclose the respective tubes at their inner ends and in the other of whichthe plates are shifted substantially clear of the inner ends of thetubes to open the same; handles secured to the respective closure platesand extending toward one another from the closure plates, so as to begrasped by a user standing upright within the hull between theclosure'plates during the propulsion of the hull, said handles in thetube-closing positions of the closure plates being aligned coaxially, onsaid axisg'and latch means carried by the respective closure plates, thetrack bars having brace bars engageable by said latch means in thetube-closing positions of the closure plates.

7. A water craft comprising a spherical, hollow hull; diametricallyopposed tubes extending radially inwardly of the hull and alignedcoaxially, on an axis extending diametrically of the hull, said tubesproviding entrance 7 hatches for a user; a paddle wheel comprising apair of rings rigid with and extending circumferentially of the hullexteriorly thereof, said wheel including blades connected between therings and extending outwardly from the hull, said axis being normally toa plane lying medially between and paralleling the respective rings,thus to propel the hull in a selected direction responsive to rotationof the same about said axis effected by walking of the user upon theinner surface thereof; track bars secured to the hullwithin the same andextending normally to said axis; closure plates riding on said trackbars between opposite extreme positions in one of which said platesclose the respective tubes at their inner ends and in the other of whichthe plates are shifted substantially clear of the inner ends of thetubes to open the same; handles secured to the respective closure platesand extending toward one another from the closure plates, so as to begrasped by a user standing upright within the hull between the closureplates during the propulsion of the hull, said handles in thetube-closing positions of the closure plates being aligned coaxially, on

said axis; and latch means carried by the respective closure plates, thetrack bars having brace bars engageable by said latch means in thetube-closing positions of the closure plates, comprising latch barspivoted upon the respective closure plates, said latch bars includinglaterally projecting noses engaging the brace means, the latch bars, intheir latching positions, having one end portion extending within thehull so as to be accessible to said user and having an opposite endportion projecting into the associated tube so as to be accessible fromwithout the hull.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS396,486 Henry Jan. 22, 1889 1,804,972 DeMarchi May 12, 1931 2,104,636Burcham Jan. 4, 1938 2,267,254 Reilley Dec. 23, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS 7177,676 Great Britain Apr. 6, 1922 500,989 Great Britain Feb. 20, 1939682,951 Germany Oct. 26, 1939

